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Paxful Partners with Uhuru Wallet to Ease Money Transfers in Africa

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Paxful Partners with Uhuru Wallet to Ease Money Transfers in Africa

In a bid to increase the flexibility of payments, Paxful, a cryptocurrency trading platform, has partnered with Uhuru wallet to feature a new payment option on its website.

The new collaboration aims to allow residents of South Africa the access to cryptocurrency. Hence, making the transfer and receipt of money easy.

According to research, the cost of financial transactions in the Sub-Saharan parts of Africa can be on the high-side.

The use of cryptocurrency is a viable solution to the increased cost of transactions. Paxful is providing Africans with a cheap, effective, and secure alternative for personal and business-focused transactions across borders.

Recently, blockchain’s forensic and research group chainalysis on cryptocurrency reported that monthly crypto transactions below $10,000 to and from Africa increased more than 55% in a year, amounting to $316 million in June 2020.

It also stated that the number of monthly transactions almost doubled. Over 600,000 transactions were recorded with most being initiated from Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.

‘’Many Africans living overseas mostly face challenges in terms of payment remittances. Modern money transfer operators can be expensive and time-consuming, so it doesn’t seem like an option to many,’’

‘’We are now offering our users a practical and cost-effective means, which provides them with a global financial passport. For true financial inclusion to occur, a free market for money transfers is necessary,’’ says Ray Youssef, CEO and co-founder of Paxful.

The deal with Uhuru is the perfect opportunity to work with local talents and support the development of the crypto community in South Africa.

‘’By partnering with Uhuru, we can unlock more payment options for our African users, many of whom are restricted by the traditional financials setups,’’ Ray added.

‘’We’re thrilled to join forces with a top international marketplace like Paxful. Uhuru is a product for Africans by Africans, and we share Paxful’s vision of greater financial inclusion. We look forward to working with them to include more Africans in the global economy.’’ says Reginald Tsvetu, Marketing and Business Development Officer, Uhuru Wallet.

Improved Microsoft Surface Pro X with upgraded RAM and Storage Launched in India

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Improved Microsoft Surface Pro X with upgraded RAM and Storage Launched in India

At the start of October, Microsoft announced a new and improved model of the Surface Pro X. The highlights of this new device include an upgraded chipset, RAM, and storage space.

About two weeks after the tech company announced the device, it took to India to officially unveil it.

According to Microsoft, the new Surface Pro X will come in three colour options, and it will be available for purchase via authorized sellers across India.

As stated earlier, the improved Microsoft Surface Pro X differs from its predecessor, which is the original model, in term of the internal components.

Apart from the modifications in the chipset, RAM, and storage, it’s pretty much the same Microsoft Surface Pro X that debuted last year. It means Microsoft is improving on the standard model and selling it as variants.

The new Surface Pro X is fueled by the SQ2 chipset, which features the Adreno 690 GPU. According to Microsoft, it partnered with Qualcomm to develop the chip on the new device.

Though, the chipset is based on the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 it doesn’t support the 5G connectivity, which seems like a little downside of the new Surface Pro X model.

Further, unlike the base model of the Microsoft Surface Pro X, the improved variants debuts with 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB / 512GB of M.2 2230 SSD.

The device arrives with a 13-inch PixelSense display, which has a 3:2 aspect ratio and supports a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels.

It features a 5-megapixel front-facing camera and a single 10-megapixel sensor on its rear panel.

The new Surface Pro X has support for connectivity options like Windows Hello, nano-SIM / e-SIM slots, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, 4G LTE, two USB-C 3.2 Gen ports, Surface connect port for charging, and a pogo-pin connector.

Microsoft has announced the availability of the device in colour options such as platinum, ice blue, and poppy red.

The 256GB storage model of the improved Surface Pro X will retail for ₹149,999 (~$2,047) and the 512GB storage variants will carry a price tag of ₹178,999 (~$2,443).

Airtel Africa Partners with Ericsson Technology to Expand its 4G Network Coverage in Kenya

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Airtel Africa Partners with Ericsson Technology to Expand its 4G Network Coverage in Kenya

In a bid to expand its 4G coverage in Kenya, Airtel Africa has broadened its partnership with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) to allow a robust 4G coverage in the country.

The collaboration will enable Airtel to offer improved and upgraded user experience to its customers. Not that alone, but the firm will also have the chance to increase the performance of its network and take the mobile experience to a new phase.

Airtel aims to employ Ericsson’s Radio Access Network and packet core products for 4G to achieve its goal in Kenya. Following that process, subscribers of the telecom service will enjoy enhanced quality of voice and data services.

The partnership deal, which was signed in about two months ago, aligns with Kenya’s Digital Economy Blueprint called Vision 2030. The county aims to provide its citizens, especially those in rural areas, with robust connectivity and to facilitate e-commerce platforms.

The deal will propel the upgrade and simplification of existing mobile networks in Kenya. It also looks to future proof such systems for the forthcoming mobile service expansion in the country.

Using Ericsson’s Radio System and Packet Core solutions will allow Airtel’s network an extended 4G coverage in Kenya. Based on this development, Airtel states that Ericsson network technology is already preparing Kenya for the deployment of the 5G network.

Prasanta Das Sarma, CEO at Airtel Kenya, says, ‘’Robust and secure communication are essentials components of a successful digital society. We are dedicated to delivering fast and reliable connections across Kenya. Also, we aim to expand the high-quality mobile broadband services our customers enjoy,’’

‘’Together with Airtel, we will execute this projects that aims to erect an advanced LTE network in Kenya. Through this partnership, we reaffirm our decision to support an increasingly digitized society in Kenya,’’ said Fadi Pharaon, President of Ericsson, Middle East and Africa.

Honor Unveils the Honor Watch ES and Honor Watch GS Pro in India

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Honor Unveils the Honor Watch ES and Honor Watch GS Pro in India

About a week ago, a Huawei sub-brand, Honor, announced that it would unveil the much-anticipated Honor Watch ES and the Honor Watch GS Pro on October 8.

The launch event took place in India. As expected, they debuted for a lesser price than their respective cost in Europe.

However, many looked forward to Honor unwrapping the Honor Choice True Wireless Buds. A teaser of the wireless buds hinted that it would roll out alongside the smartwatches, but it seems the brand has something else in mind.

The Earbuds may debut alongside a yet-to-be-announced smartphone from Honor.

Honor Watch GS Pro Specs, Pricing & Availability

The Watch GS Pro is the first-ever rugged watch to debut under the Honor brand name. It launched for the European market at the IFA 2020.

The device features a circular 1.39-inch AMOLED display panel, in-built GPS, Bluetooth feature, and it boots to the LiteOS.

Also, it is MIL-STD-810G certified, which guarantees its durability.

Besides, the watch comes pre-installed with over 100 workout modes and houses a battery, which offers the user 25 days of usage.

In India, the watch arrived with a price tag of ₹17,499, and it will sell exclusively on Flipkart. The Honor Watch GS Pro will be available from October 16, which is when Flipkart will hold its Big Billion Days sale.

Honor Watch ES Specs, Price & Availability

The Watch ES breaks record as the first smartwatch from the brand to feature a rectangular display. The AMOLED panel has a dimension of 1.64-inch.

The Watch ES has a sleek design, and it is comes loaded with 12 animated workout courses.

The smartwatch carries a price tag of ₹7,499 in India. It will be exclusive to Amazon India and will go on sale on Amazon Great India Festival sale.

Entire Specs of the Huami Amazfit Bip U Leaks Ahead of Launch

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Entire Specs of the Huami Amazfit Bip U Leaks Ahead of Launch

Not too long ago, the Huami Amazfit Neo retro-style smartwatch debuted in India for ₹2,499. A few days after the device launched, the Indian arm of Amazon teased a new Huami smartphone called the Amazfit Bip U.

The teaser page has shared everything we need to know, ranging from the specification to the design, about the upcoming Huami smartwatch. However, both Amazon India and Humai are yet to reveal the launch date of the device.

According to the teaser page, the Amazfit Bip U would arrive with a 1.43-inch TFT LCD panel, which offers a resolution of 320 x 302 pixels.

The Amazfit Bip U does feature a larger screen compared to the 1.28-inch display on the Amazfit Bip S and Bip S Lite.

On the inside, the smartwatch runs on the RTOS, and it will come fitted with the Huami BioTracker 2™ PPG Biological Optical Sensor.

The smartwatch comes pre-installed with a few health-focused functions such as heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level monitoring, stress monitoring, menstrual cycle monitoring, and sleep tracking.

Also, the Amazfit Bip U features a polycarbonate build and a silicon rubber strap. Other features on the Amazfit Bip U includes app notifications, find my phone, stopwatch, weather updates, alarm, countdown timer, music playback control, and 50 default watch faces.

The smartwatch houses a 225mAh battery, which, according to Huami, can last for up to 9 days when fully charged.

The watch features connectivity options like Bluetooth 5.0 and supports pairing with iOS and Android devices through Zepp App.

The watch will be available in three colour options; pink, green, and black.

Google Partners Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation to Promote the Country’s Tourism Sector

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Google Partners Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation to Promote the Country’s Tourism Sector

Last week, Google announced its plan to open up its second African office in Lagos, Nigeria. We thought that was all until yesterday. The international tech firm seems to have developed a keen interest in Nigeria.

Google has partnered up with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation in a bid to promote tourism in the country.

Also, through the collaboration with the NTDC, Google aims to train small businesses, equip young individuals with digital skills initiatives, and to launch Tour Nigeria – a new Google Arts & Culture collection.

The announcement, which aired yesterday October 1, seems to be a little Independence Day gift from the tech Giant to Nigeria and its citizens. The partnership is looking to sky-rocket the growth of the tourism sector in Nigeria.

However, for several months now, Google has been working with the NTDC to design an online exhibition of pictures, stories, and commentaries. The digital showcase basis on some of Nigeria’s beautiful locations and precious artefacts.

The project features locations like the Osun Osogbo sacred groove, the Awhum Caves of Enugu, the Wikki Warm spring of Bauchi State, and many more.

Further, stories and pictures of some of the colourful festivals in the country are also part of the ongoing project.

‘’Rich heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant cities. Nigeria is a destination we all need to include in our travel shortlist. Even though 2020 continues to be a challenging year for all, I do hope this unique online experience will contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s tourism sector. Though I can’t travel, the project inspired me to start exploring the country through the works of Wole Soyinka,’’ says Director for Google Arts & Culture, Amit Sood.

Sony Launches the Third-Gen of the Wena Smart Band in Japan

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Sony Launches the Third-Gen of the Wena Smart Band in Japan

In Japan today, Sony took the covers of the third-generation of its smart band watch – the Sony Wena 3.

Many are unaware of Sony’s presence in the league of smartwatch manufactures. Ever since the first make of the smart band launched for a crowdfunding campaign in Japan, it has been a remarkable product from the company.

According to Sony, the mechanical structure, electric circuit, antenna, and the board are designed to fit perfectly into a smaller and smarter band.

In comparison, the Wena 3 is 2.5mm thicker and 30% smaller in volume that the Sony Wena Active.

For a smarter fit, the battery and the display on the all-new Wena 3 comes in a curved design.

The display on the device features high impact resistance, which Sony claims can withstand a drop impact of 90cm.

Meanwhile, the cover glass on the screen is of graphite-type. And according to the company, it passed through more than 20 processes before it got fitted on the device.

Like most smart bands, the Sony Wena 3 features an accelerometer and a dual optical heart rate sensor, which allows users to track their daily activities.

Also, the device helps the users to keep track of their sleep data and monitor their heart rate.

Besides, it has support for 5ATM standard waterproof, which makes it fit for swimming at certain depths.

Furthermore, the Wena 3 supports MAMORIO – a notification function which helps in searching for the watch when misplaced.

Sony has announced the new smart wearable in three-band types such as leather, metal, and silicone rubber band.

The pricing of the Sony Wena 3 varies and depends on the band option. The metal variant comes in silver and premium black. The former carries a price tag of 33,000 Yen (~$314) and the latter costs 35,000 Yen (~$333).

Also, the leather band comes in brown leather, which retails for 30,000 Yen (~$285) and premium black leather, which costs 32,000 Yen (~$304).

The silicone band variant, which happens to be the cheapest variant, costs 24,000 Yen (~$228).

Everything You Need to Know About the All-New Apple Watch SE

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Everything You Need to Know About the All-New Apple Watch SE

A couple of days back, Apple launched the new iPad Air and the Apple Watch Series 6. Alongside these two devices, the company unveiled another smartwatch that goes by the name Watch SE.

According to the firm, the Watch SE arrives as a successor of the Watch Series 3 that debuted three years ago, and it retails for a price lower than that of the new Series 6.

Despite being cheaper than the Watch Series 6, the Apple Watch SE features several new features found on the Watch Series 6.

Features like gyroscope, in-built accelerometer, always-on altimeter, hand washing detection, and sleep tracking are present on the Watch SE.

As for the internals, the Watch SE comes with the S5 System in Package. And it relies on a dual-core processor, which according to the company, performs two times better than that in the Watch Series 3.

It arrives pre-installed with the WatchOS7 and a new activity app called Fitness Plus. The app provides the user with virtual workout classes and helps in tracking workout sessions.

Fitness Plus happens to be the first fitness service designed for the Apple Watch. On getting the Watch SE, you are entitled to three months free access to the app after which you’ll have to pay $9.99 per month to continue using it.

Also, the Watch SE’s display is 30% larger than that of the Series 3. The smart device is compatible with all Apple Watch straps, including the new Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands that Apple just unveiled.

The Watch SE would be available is cellular models. So, the watch can make emergency calls, both locally and internationally, using the built-in emergency SOS feature.

The GPS model of the device starts at $279, and the cellular model carries a price tag of $329.

Apple Launches the Watch Series 6 for $399

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Apple Launches the Watch Series 6 for $399

Yesterday, Apple held a launch event to announce the iPad Air alongside the Watch Series 6 and the all-new Watch SE.

The new Series 6 Watch maintains the build of the Watch Series 4 and the Watch Series 5, but it packs new features.

The new Watch Series 6 debuts with new sensors, which allows users to monitor their blood oxygen, and also track their sleep.

It takes about 15 seconds for the Watch Series 6 to complete the blood oxygen monitoring process. The device performs this process with the help of a red and an infrared light.

Commenting on the new feature, Apple states that it is collaborating with robust health networks to begin large-scale studies using the blood oxygen measurement feature.

Inside the new Watch Series 6 is the new S6 processor, which is based on Apple’s A13 chipset. The processor is an upgrade of the S5 that debuted with the Watch Series 5 last year.

The Watch Series 6 allows the user to access control centre, change watch faces, and access notifications without fully waking the screen. It arrives with an always-on display. And according to the company, the screen on the Watch Series 6 is 2.5 times brighter than that on the Series 5.

Also, one other new sensor, which updates the user with real-time elevation information, is present in the device. For the software, it runs on the new WacthOS7.

The new smartwatch provides users with the same 18-hour battery life offered by the Series 5, and it debut with fast charging technology.

For the first time, Apple decided to produce a smartwatch in the Product (RED) colour version. Apart from the bright red finish, the Watch Series 6 will be available in other colours like gold, grey, silver, and blue aluminium finishes.

For the stainless-steel build, it will come in either yellow gold or graphite.

The high-end model of the Watch Series 6 will arrive in natural black or titanium black.

Besides, Apple has launched a new feature called Family Setup. The new feature allows parents to manage a child’s Apple Watch remotely.

Managing of calls and messages, setting up location, and activating DND modes for school time are a few of the actions the new feature allows parents to perform. However, the Family Setup feature requires a cellular model of the Apple Watch.

For the pricing, the 40mm model of the Apple Watch 6 will retail for $399, and the cellular model will cost $499.

Lagos State Government to Partner with Private Organizations to Address the Issue of Unemployment.

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Lagos State Government to Partner with Private Organizations to Address the Issue of Unemployment.

In a bid to suppress, and if possible, eliminate unemployment, the Government of Lagos State has beckoned on private organizations in the state to join forces with them; to drive down the rate of unemployment and also increase the chances of job seekers getting gainfully employed.

The announcement was made yesterday by the State’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Arobieke Yetunde, during a stakeholders meeting held at Ikeja.

The meeting was held to discuss with recruitment experts, effective ways of making sure unemployed youths in Lagos State are gainfully employed.

Record has it that about 6.8 million people constitute the labour force population in the Lagos. Of the total workforce, 3.99 million people are gainfully employed, 1.5 million individuals are underemployed, and about 870,000 residents are unemployed.

A current report by the National Bureau of Statistics reveals that currently, the unemployment rate in Lagos is 19.5%.

‘’We are considering ways, outside the scope of the government’s capabilities, to solve the issue of unemployment. Hence, our discussion with recruitment experts on ways to join forces and provides graduates with job opportunities,’’ Mrs Yetunde said.